I am wondering what kind of sentence you guys are dealing with and how you do it? When I consider that the people in these cases could very well spend the rest of their lives or the next 30 or more years in prison it makes me so sick an angry.

Hi there, i read the title to your thread and it almost instantaniously brought me to tears. That is my biggest fear, i think. It's hard enough to deal with the fact that your man is down for another 16 years, but the fear that he could die in there, i think is always a reality. Some of the men, men like mine can't stay out of the mix, pick up new cases and have enemies. Others are new to the system, are naive and don't know how this thing works. Either way and no matter what their situation - prison can be a dangerous place. What if he never comes home? Is a very legitimate question and one that many of us think about.

Venice

Hang in there! My guy has been in prison for 23 years and I've been visiting the whole time. Now, finally, it's getting nearer to the time he will come home. You can't think of the whole stretch at once - that is overwhelming. You just have to take it a week at a time and the time goes by. Yes, there are variables that we have no control over, just like in daily life out here. All we can do, though, is focus on our relationship and don't let the prison system get between us. Not an easy task but can be done. Zelda

Our time is nothing compared to most of you on here - but I had an awakening one day, that counting by weeks made the time seem a ton shorter. Kinda dumb maybe, but 102 weeks seems shorter than 23 months...

Zelda50

That was such good advise you gave about taking it a week at a time. When I was serving my sentence I finally realize that all I could do is take it one day at a time. If I started to look at the time that was ahead of me, I could not function, and that my time was doing me instead of me doing my time. You loose so much control of what is happening to you, but the one thing they cannot take away from you, unless you give them permission, is control of your mind. Once you can find the right mind-set, things can, and often do, get easier.

:)

Well i tell you this much, my sweety is doing a life sentence, and I tell my self that there is hope.........that one day they will return federal parole and he will be home. I hold on to the fact that he is a first time offender and was hit with a life time sentence that did not fit the crime because of the drug laws. We are still holding strong and fighting for his release wether it be through bringing back federal parole or even fight his sentence. But I will never give up on him. I will hold on till the day I die. He has already put in 13 years and still hasn't given up.

http://www.journeyforjustice.org/

my husband is also considered a 1st time offender and is 19 about to be 20 and yes because of the drug laws received a tougher sentence 10 years or that's what he signed the plea for and what his PSI report came back as. So I also hope federal parole will come back soon. For everyone hang in there don't ever give up

My man is 24 and has 23 years left unless a miracle occurs. I sometimes have a hard time dealing with it, but I think how fast time has gone by for me the last 5 years, so if this goes by like that then I can be straight.

Thanks to all of you who have loyally waited for so long. I know from my own experience that some days are tougher than others in "the waiting game". Each of you who have been waiting so long for the return of your loved ones only helps to cement my own resolve to stay true, loyal, and in loving support. My hat is off to all of you for helping us all to remember their is a light at the end of the tunnel... and it's not always a train. :)

Keep the Faith

Michael :thumbsup:

Our sentence is nothing compared to some. Mine only has about 2 years left.
Never give up hope!
Because sometime in the near, or distant future, federal parole WILL return. It might happen this round, or it might not. It may not happen the next round either, but it is bound to happen. For ones who's sentences are really long, federal parole will come one day in their future!
Just hang on!!!!
And if your not dealing with federal prison, keep hanging on for state time to change as well. There are too many people in prison, and as I said before, it may not happen rite away, but one day the changes will happen!!!

Thanks everyone, some of you are dealing with really long sentences and even the shorter ones have to feel like forever. I am glad to know that its possible, sometimes I get so upset and feel like I cant handle it. I cant imagine how he feels, and I dont even know how to help him. I cant make this better, but god knows I would if I could. What is federal parole? Why is it gone and when will it come back? Thanks :)

My husband did 2 years before being released to the halfway house earlier this year. I know it's not much time compared to others, but for us it was an eternity. I caught myself almost crying this weekend when I woke up with him next to me...he's still in the halfway house during the week, but he spends his weekends with us. It's wonderful to have him back.

I had so many fears that he would never return & I can still vividly remember them. One day they will come home. Just go day by day & keep your connection strong. It will be worth it in the end.

i started this post when I first found this forum and i was scared then that he may get a very long sentance, and now I am about to find out in a few hours what his sentence will be and I am just as scared now as I was then. I keep trying to tell myself that almost a year has gone by waiting for the sentence and that it doesnt seem like a year but I am not any calmer. I feel like its not fair...and I hate it. All I can do is hope that its not as bad as I fear it will be...and then deal with it whatever it is. Easier said than done, I am sure you can all vouch for that!



My husband did 2 years before being released to the halfway house earlier this year. I know it's not much time compared to others, but for us it was an eternity. I caught myself almost crying this weekend when I woke up with him next to me...he's still in the halfway house during the week, but he spends his weekends with us. It's wonderful to have him back.

I had so many fears that he would never return & I can still vividly remember them. One day they will come home. Just go day by day & keep your connection strong. It will be worth it in the end.

How is everyone? Well John goes to sentencing Sept. 8th it looks like his mom is getting 20 yrs! I hope and pray they pass the federal parole bill I printed off a bunch of pre-written ltrs. and am getting a long list of people together so I can mail it to them and get them to the congressman and I will even type them if need be! my prayers are with all of you I think it will get better soon or at least I pray it will

i started this post when I first found this forum and i was scared then that he may get a very long sentance, and now I am about to find out in a few hours what his sentence will be and I am just as scared now as I was then. I keep trying to tell myself that almost a year has gone by waiting for the sentence and that it doesnt seem like a year but I am not any calmer. I feel like its not fair...and I hate it. All I can do is hope that its not as bad as I fear it will be...and then deal with it whatever it is. Easier said than done, I am sure you can all vouch for that!
Dreams, I can absolutely relate - we waited almost a year from plea to sentencing, almost two years from the beginning of prosecution to sentencing and nearly 4 years from the start of the investigation (I knew nothing of the investigation until the beginning of prosecution!). The day we got the letter saying when and where my husband reported was almost a relief. It was the beginning of the end. Hang on to your faith, and know that the light you will soon see at the end of the tunnel is in fact NOT an on-coming train. You will have a date to look forward too and can start your countdown to "real" life again. God Bless!

April,

please let us know how it turned out.....we are all praying for you.

I am wondering what kind of sentence you guys are dealing with and how you do it? When I consider that the people in these cases could very well spend the rest of their lives or the next 30 or more years in prison it makes me so sick an angry.

While I understand where you are coming from, you also have to remember that they got themselves that 30 year sentence in Prison. I would support re-establishing parole and getting some of these non-harmful (We learned our lesson, please let us back to society :() people back onto the streets. (the ones who actually learned there lesson).

I talk daily to inmates who have definatly learned there lesson, but have another 40+ years to serve, and I talk to dickwads who would rather spit into my face than let me walk them to exercise. The dickwads definatly outweigh the actual nice guys. But I guess thats because the unit I am in handles most of the guys on deathrow and real bad assaults.

We are not referring to paroling death row inmates or serious assaults. I ask you as an employee of the BOP or state prison system...do you feel a sentence of 40 years or 30 years is necessary in a first time drug offender case? I find this incredibly unjust. There are people doing less time for murder 2 or manslaughter. Rapists get less time than this. I feel like the disparity in sentencing between drug crimes and violent crimes is outrageous. I am sorry that you have to deal with the inmates who are jerks to you, but this is the profession you chose as well...just as you claim that these inmates put themselves in the position they are in.

My brother may not ever come home. He is 52 and has Hep-C, and twenty six years to go. Do the math!!!!

We are not referring to paroling death row inmates or serious assaults. I ask you as an employee of the BOP or state prison system...do you feel a sentence of 40 years or 30 years is necessary in a first time drug offender case? I find this incredibly unjust. There are people doing less time for murder 2 or manslaughter. Rapists get less time than this. I feel like the disparity in sentencing between drug crimes and violent crimes is outrageous. I am sorry that you have to deal with the inmates who are jerks to you, but this is the profession you chose as well...just as you claim that these inmates put themselves in the position they are in.

Actually I was assigned to the MP field, I chose the military as a profession. When I recieved this AOC, I selected to make the best of it and goto SRT school. I had selected Infantry and Armor as my first two choices, hoping to get special forces later. 30 years in a drug offense case, well you haven't even begun to describe the case. Is this intent to distribute? Pocession? Unlawful Distrobution? Now your also making it quite unfair as I am a libertarian and don't believe in drug laws. However, yes if the law is there your expected to follow it. It is there for one reason or another, because someone we all elected to the senate and house decided it should be there. If we dont want any drug laws or weaker laws then we need to stress this to our representatives in washington.

I for one think they should have pushed each amendment back one and made the first one the right to be stupid. If you want to do drugs, its your business not mine, not the governments. If you want to commit suicide then thats your life and your choice, do as you wish. Those crimes which effect others should be the ones taken and punished.

Most people doing time for Murder in the second degree, and Manslaughter have arranged plea bargins because not enough evidence was believed to hold together by the prosecution or an agreement to testify against someone who would get a stronger sentence.

Most people doing time for drug related offenses were caught red handed and they have tests to back this up. I do realise your not trying to parole death row or serious assault inmates. I just wanted to tell you thats who I deal with on a day to day basis right now. I am all for parole for those who earn it and serve the time required by law before parole. Alot of people can be rehabilitated into society its self; if your not rehabilitable then obviously your not going to be released anyways.

hello to all my pto sisters
when i saw this thread i knew i had to reply...simply because that is a question that i contempate on a daily basis....my husband has been down 19yrs....and counting...he went up for parole in may....sunday i went to visit my beloved and he told me that monday he would have his answer....i've never been so scared in all my life because everything hangs in the balance right now!!!!!! i haven't heard from him yet but he made me promise that i would come see him this weekend and to bring his grandmother with me and he would tell us both together!!!! the what if's plague my mind now!!! i don't know what i'm going to hear....or what my reaction will be if its not good!!!!! i call myself trying to prepare for the absolute worse case scenaro....but its just no use!!!!!! all i can do i wait...and hope and pray that its something good!!!!!

My fiance has 7 years and 10 months left on a 11 year sentence.. The best advice I can give you is take it day by day.. You are gonna have good days and bad days and thats ok too!

We are not referring to paroling death row inmates or serious assaults. I ask you as an employee of the BOP or state prison system...do you feel a sentence of 40 years or 30 years is necessary in a first time drug offender case? I find this incredibly unjust. There are people doing less time for murder 2 or manslaughter. Rapists get less time than this. I feel like the disparity in sentencing between drug crimes and violent crimes is outrageous. I am sorry that you have to deal with the inmates who are jerks to you, but this is the profession you chose as well...just as you claim that these inmates put themselves in the position they are in.I could not have said it better, myself! right on!!!!!!!

wow thats a good way to look at it :) THANKS!!!! :)



Our time is nothing compared to most of you on here - but I had an awakening one day, that counting by weeks made the time seem a ton shorter. Kinda dumb maybe, but 102 weeks seems shorter than 23 months...